Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester and its salts. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid salt and a process for the preparation of 3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid. (S)-5-Methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form as well as salts thereof, (S)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form and a compound, namely Formula (XIII), in racemic form, enantioenriched form or enantiopure form are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polypeptide and recombinant protein having esterase activity which exhibit the amino acid sequence SEQ. ID. No. 1 and the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polypeptide having esterase activity comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NO's 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 or a homologue thereof, comprising an amino acid substitution or deletion of one or more amino acids as shown in said SEQ ID NO's and resulting in a mutant polypeptide having an increased concentration of the fraction of the mutant polypeptide being present as an active and soluble protein in cleared lysate of the mutant polypeptide expressed in E. coli relative to the concentration of the fraction of the polypeptide without the mutation being present as an active and soluble protein in cleared lysate of the polypeptide without the one or more deletion or substitution expressed in E. coli under the same conditions. The invention also relates to nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides according to the invention, and the use of the polypeptides.

Abstract: Method of resolving stereoselectively racemic 2-alkyl-5-halopent-4-ene-carboxylic esters of the formula (I) in which R is a C1-C6-alkyl radical, R1 is C1-C4-alkyl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, by contacting a racemic ester of formula (I) with a polypeptide or recombinant protein having esterase activity and exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. No. 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant E. coli strain characterized in that the organisms contains a gene coding for a protein having esterase activity. Such E. coli is suitable for the preparation of a protein with esterase activity, whereby the expression takes place without coexpression of GroEL and/or GroES from a plasmid. The expression of glutathione reductase and/or thioredoxin reductase may be abolished by mutation. Furthermore, the ability of the organism to grow under oxygen-rich conditions has been restored by mutation. The expression of the gene of the protein with esterase activity is unaccompanied by the expression of an additional gene encoding a heat shock chaperone protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester and its salts. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid salt and a process for the preparation of 3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid. (S)-5-Methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form as well as salts thereof, (S)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form and a compound, namely Formula (XIII), in racemic form, enantioenriched form or enantiopure form are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. According to said method, at least one polyacrylic acid ester is provided and incubated with at least one enzyme selected from enzymes (EC 3.1) acting on ester bindings, until the ester groups contained in the polyacrylic acid ester are partially or fully hydrolytically split, and optionally the modified polymer obtained thereby is isolated. The invention also relates to the enzymes used and mutants thereof, nucleic acids coding for the enzymes, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, micro-organisms comprising the vectors, and the use of the enzymes, the vectors or the micro-organisms for carrying out a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. The present application also relates to polymer reaction products that can be obtained by the method, and methods for producing esterases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agent compositions, in particular washing and cleaning agents, that contain a protease from a bacterial strain of the species Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and to said proteases themselves. The invention further relates to cleaning methods in which said agents are used, and to uses of said agents. The invention further relates to the manufacture and use of these proteases themselves.

Abstract: Polypeptide and recombinant protein having esterase activity which exhibit the amino acid sequence SEQ. ID. No. 1 and the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: The design of a rod is disclosed that can serve in general structural applications or as an orthopedic spinal implant to retain formation or stimulate the reduction of deformity as occurring in scoliosis and kyphosis. Different from common solid rod implants, the here-disclosed rod is curvature-adaptable in three dimensions to the actual or desired curvature or shape of the spine and can be provided with elasticity in order to serve as support or agent for curvature correction. The curvature adaptation of the proposed rod can be done with minimal force before or after implantation by means of the simple rotation of always only one in a pair of wedge shaped washers inserted between rod segments while leaving full mechanical strength or elasticity to the rod after curvature adaptation. The rotation of the washers can be done by various means, either once before implant or subsequently in the implanted state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: The design of a rod is disclosed that can serve, among other more general applications, as an implant to stimulate the reduction of spinal deformity. Different from common solid rod implants, the here-disclosed rod provides an almost uniform pressure between a chosen maximum and minimum by means of an internal spring and by expanding its length to adjust for progressing spinal growth or adjustment. The rod contains an internal ratchet which permits a piston to expand only outward, thereby providing easy installation and the expansion of the rod over time as the spine adjusts. The controlled expansion occurs in surgical applications through occasional body flexing, thereby avoiding additional interventions for adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: New genes containing a DNA sequence coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, which genes can be prepared via a primer combination based on the DNA sequence of the 5?-region of the mdl genes from the Prunus serotina and from Prunus amygdalus and/or a primer 2 based on the 3?-region of the DNA sequences of one of the hydroxynitrile lyase isoenzymes from Prunus serotina or from Prunus amygdalus, subsequent amplification with a DNA polymerase using a DNA from organisms, containing genes coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, as templates and cloning, and also recombinant proteins which can be prepared in suitable host cells by heterologous expression of the DNA sequence of said HNL genes, and proteins and fusion proteins derived therefrom and use of said proteins for preparing (R)- or (S)-cyanohydrins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.

Abstract: New genes containing a DNA sequence coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, which genes can be prepared via a primer combination based on the DNA sequence of the 5?-region of the mdl genes from the Prunus serotina and from Prunus amygdalus and/or a primer 2 based on the 3?-region of the DNA sequences of one of the hydroxynitrile lyase isoenzymes from Prunus serotina or from Prunus amygdalus, subsequent amplification with a DNA polymerase using a DNA from organisms, containing genes coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, as templates and cloning, and also recombinant proteins which can be prepared in suitable host cells by heterologous expression of the DNA sequence of said HNL genes, and proteins and fusion proteins derived therefrom and use of said proteins for preparing (R)- or (S)-cyanohydrins.

Abstract: New genes containing a DNA sequence coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, which genes can be prepared via a primer combination based on the DNA sequence of the 5?-region of the mdl genes from Prunus serotina and from Prunus amygdalus and/or a primer 2 based on the 3?-region of the DNA sequences of one of the hydroxynitrile lyase isoenzymes from Prunus serotina or from Prunus amygdalus, subsequent amplification with a DNA polymerase using a DNA from organisms, containing genes coding for hydroxynitrile lyase, as templates and cloning, and also recombinant proteins which can be prepared in suitable host cells by heterologous expression of the DNA sequence of said HNL genes, and proteins and fusion proteins derived therefrom and use of said proteins for preparing (R)- or (S)-cyanohydrins.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a device for the production of cellulosic staple fibers comprising a cutting device (1) for cutting cellulosic continuous filaments into staple fibers, a liquid-transport device (2) for transporting the staple fibers. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the liquid-transport device (2) is provided with a portion (4) shaped as a syphon (4).